Creating Space for the Holy Spirt
Act 3:1-10 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. (2) And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; (3) who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. (4) And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us." (5) So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. (6) Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." (7) And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. (8) So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God. (9) And all the people saw him walking and praising God. (10) Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
First miracles of the New Testament Church.
Happened in their routine.
Introduction
In Acts 1 we are introduced to a church in wait. After the resurrection of Jesus, He shows up and meets them as they were meeting together. They were actually hiding. Half scared and half afraid. Jesus shows up and spends the next 40 days with them. Then we read in Acts 1:8 He told them to wait. There was more to be done. There was an empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Then Jesus ascended.
Act 1:9-11 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. (10) And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, (11) who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."
They chose Matthias as the next Apostle, remember Judas had betrayed Jesus.
Then they waited. For 10 days they were in the upper room, praying and waiting. It must have seemed like and eternity.
Then what happened next is incredible.
Act 2:1-4 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord* in one place. (2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. (3) Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
What this must have looked and sounded like was truly amazing.
This got then attention of the Jews who were there to celebrate Pentecost.
Peter, never short for words, volunteered to preach. This is Peter who only 50 days earlier had betrayed Christ.
The result
Act 2:42-47 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. (43) Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. (44) Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, (45) and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. (46) So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, (47) praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church [13] daily those who were being saved.
Chapter 3: Practical
(Act 3:1) Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
What is prayer
Lord, teach us to pray
In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
(Matthew 6:9-13)
Elements of Prayer
ACTS
P – Praise
R – Repent
A – Ask
Y – Yield
Pray with out ceasing.
(Act 3:2) And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.
He knew where to go. This is the key. He knew exactly where to go when in need. The problem is he had been there a long time. People had probably given him what he asked for.
They had supplied his physical need over and over again. We are not told his age but we get the impression that he is older. He was coming to the right place but leaving the same. Why?
I submit to you that he did not know there was more. His perspective of the church was muddled.
(Act 3:4) And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us."
“fixing or fastening their eyes on him”
The saw him. Had they seen him before, probably. Had they been at this temple before, it would seem. Both had a system of life. John and Peter would go often to the temple to pray. The lame man would go often to the place to beg. This was their routine.
But something was different this time.
1) They saw who this man truly was (a child of God)
2) They saw what this man could be (a hope to the community)
3) They saw beyond his weakness.
But they realized what we all must learn: Interruption is often divine inspiration
This was not about a miracle this was about restoration.
“Fixing or fastening our eyes causes us to . . .
Pray differently
Praise differently – for what God can do, what God has done in us
(Act 3:5) So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.
This is often times what happens. People talk to us expecting something different. They want something from us.
The words of Peter demonstrated that...
• he had a sure confidence that he himself belonged to God; he was God's representative.
• he had a plan to help the man.
• he had an expectancy, a genuine faith that God would help him to meet the need.
• he had a willingness to act, to reach out by faith and meet the need.
Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Acts.
“silver and gold I do not have” – sometimes these can get in the way of truly helping someone. I am not speaking against helping someone’s physical need. We do that often. But let us not limit ourselves here.
When we were on the trip with Samaritans Purse and fixing houses they made it clear if someone approached you and they needed prayer, stop what you are doing and pray. This is the most important part.
"Man looks the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).
(Act 3:7) And he him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
Two actions here
1) The help of Peter “lifted him up”
2) The standing by the man.
Jesus' presence and power are still at work, working miracles and meeting the needs of people. Note this:
? Peter reached down to take the man by the right hand and lift him up. (What faith!)
? The man let him. (What trust!)
? Jesus healed him. (What power!)
Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Acts.
He needed more than money or a hand out. A hand out would get him back to the same place.
Here he has been restored:
A. Restored Worship
B. Restored Work
C. Restored Family
D. Restored Witness
(Act 3:8) So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God. 9) And all the people saw him walking and praising God.
What a sign. Notice he did not praise Peter and John. They praised God.
(Act 3:10) Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
Mark 16:17 - 20 And these signs will follow those who [a]believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they[b] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.
